West End residents deserve a clean, safe neighbourhood

By: Andrew Swan, MLA for Minto

As published in The Metro

May 15, 2013

I have been proud to represent Winnipeg’s West End for nearly nine years.

In that time, I’ve enjoyed talking to many neighbours who care about our schools, churches, businesses and public places, discovering the many ways our community
organizations empower residents, watching our youth pursue their dreams, and dining at our world-class restaurants.

I am lucky to be part of our thriving West End community. West End residents, like all Manitobans, are entitled to be safe in their homes and their community.

Unfortunately, there are still those who endanger others with illegal activities, including the production and trafficking of drugs and sexual exploitation.

If you face this problem on your street or in your apartment block, the best place to report the location to is the Public Safety Investigations Unit (PSIU) at (204)
945-3475 which receives anonymous complaints about drug and prostitution houses.

The PSIU will gather its own evidence about the activity, and take steps to move out those who threaten our neighbourhood. The PSIU is a highly effective way to take
back our West End streets. If you would like more details about this, please call my constituency office.

Graffiti on homes, buildings, garages, and fences can be frustrating. Like you, I want the West End to be a graffiti-free zone. The West End BIZ has a hugely
successful (and free!) graffiti removal program.

If your property has been "tagged", just call the BIZ at (204) 954-7900 and they will quickly come to cover it up! Did I mention this service is completely free?

Many residents have pitched in to clean trash off our streets and public places this spring.

The West End BIZ was helped by students from General Wolfe and Isaac Brock Schools on April 25, and our community partners SNA, DMSMCA, WCWRC, and Ma Mawi Chi Itata
organized a joint Community Clean-up on April 27.

Of course, I’m quite grateful to everyone who showed up on May 11 for the Minto cleanup hosted by my office, or the Omands Creek cleanup hosted by MLA Rob Altemeyer.
It’s always encouraging to see people work together for our neighbourhood.

Your advice is important. Please always feel free to call my office at (204) 783-9860, email at Andrew.Swan@yourmanitoba.ca or drop by in person at my office at 892 Sargent Ave.

The office is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and we are always happy to hear your thoughts and suggestions.